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Note: ssed with 12 children. The posterity of these two outstanding citizens number 157 as of this writing. What follows is a tribute to these fine parents who are a common ancestor of all who follow.
Mr. & Mrs. Hutchinson were the parents of eleven children who grew to maturity and we doubt if anywhere could be found a family which reflected in a better way the finest qualities of manhood and womanhood.
Charles Ire Hutchinson was the son of William Henry Hutchinson and Betsy Ann Westcott, both natives of Vermont. William Henry was probably born in 1834 or 1835. Betsy Ann Westcott was born in 1838. Se died in Sept. of 1909 and is buried in Eagle Bend Cemetery in Eagle Bend Minnesota. C.I's father was a grain merchant. He was a soldier in the Civil War and was a member of Company I, Third Iowa Infantry, and served four years and six months. He was a prisoner in Andersonville prison six months and suffered as did others in that most inhuman prison.
C.I. was the odest of seven children. The children included five sons and two daughters. When charles Ira was four years old, he moved with his parents to McGregor, Iowa, where he lived for a short time and then moved to Cato, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. He received all his education in Cato except for one term in the state normal school at Oshkosh. (Normal school was the name for teachers colleges at that time.)
He then taught school several years in Wisconsin before moving to Alexandria, Minnesota, in 1881. At that time he worked as a salesman in a drygood store and was also engaged with his father in the grain and produce business. C.I. stayed in Minnesota about four years and in 1885, he went to LaMoure County, North Dakota. He soon filed claim to the northwest quarter of ssection 4 in Grand View township which was about five miles east of Dickey. In 1900 he owned 480 acres of land.
The "Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota written in 1900 stated, "His farm is fully equipped with machinery of the most approved style and every convenience of farming is supplied and his home is one of the pleasant places of La Moure County.... He is a man of sterling character and possessed of more than ordinary ability as a business man, as is evidenced by his prosperity. He went to Dakota without means and is now one of the substantial men of his locality. He has held numerous offices of trust in his county and enjoys an enviable reputation.
Charles Ira Hutchinson taught school for two years in La Moure County, one year at Verona and one year at a school near Grand Rapids, North Dakota. For 20 years he farmed acitvely, gradually adding to his homestead until he eventually acquired five quarters of land in all.
He was an active and influential figure in politics. In 1902 he was elected register of deeds of La Moure county and served two terms. He was a staunch Republican and firm and decisive in his views on politics. He then bought a hardware and implement business and for several years he was Postmaster in La Moure. He also served as mayor of La Moure. He sold the hardware store about two years before his death at which time he led a less active life but still gave some time to business affairs.
The "La Moure County Chronicle" made the following statement about Charles Ira Hutchinson at the time of his daath. Mr. Hutchinson took a noteworthy part in the upbuilding of La Moure County. He experienced the hardships of early days, and confident through all trails, he added to his land holdings, and proved the worth and possibilities of soil in this region. Firm in his political convictions, decisive in his conclusions, he was deservedly honored with positions of public trust. He reared a family of several children to promising estate. Truly he was a good citizen who left his community and state better and farther advanced for his having lived in them."
C.I. Hutchinson died in his sleep of angina pectoris, a heart ailment. About two months previous to this, he had had a heart attack but it was thought thta it was not serious. He had hoped to soon celeberate the 50th anniversary of his wedding to Sarah Georgina Classon.
C.I. and Sarah Hutchinson began a family tradition in 1907 which is still carried on by many of their descendents today. 1907 was the first yeaar the Hutchinson family traveled to Camp Nirvana, Stuart Lake, Clitherall, Minnesota, the "Lake."
C.I. and Sarah Hutchinson were devoted to one another throughout their life together. An outstanding example of their love and devotion for each other is the poem C.I. gave to Sarah with her engagement ring. The original handwritten copy of the poem is in the possession of Ruth Ann Buck.
"To my sweetheart with the engagement ring.
When this ring encircles round thy finger,
May thy love, like it, ne'er have an end;
And in thy faithful heart, forever linger
The kindliest thoughts of him, thy dearest friend.
This is thy lover's offering as a token
Of his affection and idolatry--
Fitting emblem of words that have been spoken,
Which made thee his forever and for aye.
May the Almighty in His power decree
Peaceful and happy be our wedded life;
So come what may, ever will we be--
A faithful husband and a loving wife!"
Note: The union of Charles Ira Hutchinson and Sarah Georgina Classon was ble
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